I need to have spray paint removed from Bronze

[normaM]

Two large bronze cranes.. don't want to damage the bronze, don't have a shop to do the work inside of - plus my allergies
There is prolly 3 light layers of spray paint to remove, Google tells me it is an easy DIY but yea, don't want to chance it
Any ideas where I can take them to get them restored? TIA

[oneh2obabe]

Gorilla Property Services offer grafitti removal along with a slew of other services, both residential and commercial. Give them a call and if they can't do it, I'm sure they can suggest a company that can.

Gorilla Property Services
101-1865 Dilworth Drive, Suite 709
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 9T1
250-419-9719

https://gorillapropertyservices.com/wor ... l/Kelowna/

[normaM]

Thanks Waterbabe - waiting to hear back. HAd thought there might be someone here who can do it, would rather pay someone I 'know"

[seewood]

Even wearing a mask, I suspect acetone would still affect you. That stuff will take the paint off without a residue though.
Windsor plywood sells acetone by the quart.

[normaM]

^^ thanks, I have seen there are some products I can try but
-I don't have an enclosed space to do it
You have to be fast and know what the heck you are doing
If I ruin them I will be so mad, someone else does at least I don't kick my own behind around the block
Turns out now they are worth a lot of money, wanna sell them

[normaM]

Having zero luck finding anyone to do it :(

[alanjh595]

You could have someone sand blast it with glass beads,or use laquer thinner or paint stripper to remove the paint.Regardless how you do it ,you can petina and wax the sculpture,or let it turn on its own.When it turns the color you like,heat it up and apply wax,clear,brown,or black.Old hillybilly method,use kwick shoe polish and steam it on hot bronze,but do outside or well venilated area.

[I Think]

Hold the phone, what is the finish (under the paint) like, if they were sand cast then the paint is not going to come off without grinding, if they were shiny then they may have been sanded to make the paint stick, the sanding scuffs will hold the paint.
Acetone will cut most paints, but not all. Are you sure they are solid bronze or any other metal and not plating over a substrate.

[gardengirl]

Hold the phone....I am agreeing with I Think.....
I would be very careful with any procedure to remove the paint.
Unless you are absolutely certain what the items are made of, you could destroy them.
If they were actually sculpted (cast) bronze, they would be very heavy and would have been very expensive.
I am doubting they are bronze. Lots of things with bronze or brass or silver colour are just that. Coloured. They are inexpensive metals, alloys and such which have been dressed up to look more expensive.
Lots of things are what my mom calls "Pot metal". For example, a lot of outdoor decor is made of this. Bird baths, light standards, gazebos. It looks like, it can be quite heavy, but if you break it open, it is a dull silver or grey colour and can look a bit grainy. It cannot be welded or repaired in any successful may and end up going in the garbage.
So if you have something really expensive, be careful what you try.
If you have pot metal, don't spend too much money on it, maybe it just needs another coat of trem-clad.

[I Think]

Norma, we are coming over to the Okanagan next week, we will have a small window, if you live within a couple of minutes of our route we could stop by and have a quick look, will not undertake the work, but can give a feeling for what is involved.
Understand we will be in car all day and not have much spare time.

It is possible to plate bronze onto fiberglass, if that is the case you will be stuck with chemical removal, and will not be able to use acetone as it will cut the fiberglass. If they were polished, shiny, pre painting, there are some interesting abrasives that are safe to handle & dust free but will require a lot of rubbing.
Will be going to home depot in Kelowna & Windsor plywood in Vernon, via hwy 33.
If anywhere near PM me to set it up.

[normaM]

The are indeed bronze.. paid $1000 plus years ago
They were the not shiny green ish
I only used canned spray paint.. it tends to flake off their " feet" so it was a poor job :)
I figure what do I have to lose? If the paint doesn't come off well I can always re spray paint them

[normaM]

According to Google it can be done with a paint remover ( special for metal like bronze) They do wiegh a lot and I have a forehead scar from the beak of one ( don't ask LOL)
I gotta figure out how to post pix, you can see in the one that they are that green
they look like this but with the tube ( used for casting old school) and they have their feet on a base

[normaM]

I don't even want them, I just want to remove the paint and sell them :)
I only painted them because the green didn't match my patio chairs!!! Ah, stupid stupid me

[normaM]

Ha!!!! From when I just got them, I reckon about 16 years ago

[Catsumi]

If mine, I would keep 'em

Lovely.